Just when we thought the Yaris was the definitive small Toyota, the Japanese company brought us the Aygo. Cheeky, smart and keenly priced, the Aygo was one third of a partnership that also produced the Citroën C1 and the Peugeot 107. Had Toyota risked their impeccable build quality record for a quick hit? It would seem not as Aygo owners seem very satisfied with their cars. Used examples are available if you search for them and they're well worth tracking down.
The Aygo came about due to inflation. As the Yaris got bigger, room was freed up at the bottom of Toyota's product portfolio for a city car. Even for a company of Toyota's financial muscle, building an entirely new small car platform is not an inconsequential expense. What's more, carbon dioxide weighting regulations meant that they needed a new small car quickly in order to continue selling